What constitutional article did the Supreme Court interpret to include the right to livelihood in its decision in a famous case of 1985?

Article 21

The correct answer is Option 3 - Article 21

Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court interpreted this article to include the right to livelihood, stating that if slum or pavement dwellers were to be evicted, they should first be provided with alternative accommodation to ensure their livelihood is not jeopardized.

The Supreme Court gave an important decision regarding the rights of slum-dwellers in Bombay in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by a social activist, Olga Tellis against Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1985. The petition claimed the right to live on pavements or in slums because there was no alternative accommodation available close to their place of work. If they were forced to move they would lose their livelihood as well. The Supreme Court said, “Article 21 of the Constitution which guaranteed the right to life included the right to livelihood. Therefore if pavement dwellers were to be evicted they should first be provided alternative accommodation under the right to shelter.”